North Dakota and FPL Energy Announce Plans for 48-Megawatt Wind Farm

February 13, 2007

Officials of FPL Energy (FPL) and North Dakota Governor John Hoeven have announced plans to build the Oliver II Wind Energy Center, a 48-megawatt (MW) wind facility near Center, North Dakota. Combined with FPL’s adjacent 50.6-MW Oliver Wind I Energy Center, the complex will generate nearly 100 MW of electricity under a long-term power purchase agreement with Minnesota Power.

"Cooperation between the state, FPL Energy, and power companies — like Minnesota Power, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, and Otter Tail Power — is producing jobs for North Dakotans and clean, efficient renewable power for thousands of customers in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota," Hoeven said in a February 6 press release.

Oliver Wind I began operating in December 2006. Oliver Wind II will consist of 32, 1.5-MW turbines set on 80-foot towers. The combined facilities will generate enough electricity to power nearly 30,000 homes. Construction is slated to begin in the spring and is expected to be completed by January 1, 2008. With this expansion, FPL’s total investment in North Dakota will be approximately $300 million.

The new wind farm will be FPL’s fifth wind project in North Dakota. The company also has the 49.5-MW Wilton Energy Center north of Bismarck, and the 40.5-MW and 21-MW wind energy centers in Edgeley/Kulm in southeast North Dakota. In addition to Minnesota Power, FPL has power purchase agreements with Basin Electric Power Cooperative and Otter Tail Power to produce more than 200 MW of electricity for consumers in the Dakotas.